A broadline distributor of food and food-related products, US Foods will make a significant investment to expand the company’s F. Christiana distribution facility in Marrero, Louisiana. The company will retain 140 existing jobs and create 45 new direct jobs.

The investment will triple the size of the facility to 200,000 square feet in support of expanding distribution opportunities across the region. Construction will begin in late 2018 and the expansion will be completed two years later, according to Louisiana Economic Development.

“We are excited to strengthen our presence in Louisiana,” said South Region President Keith Knight of US Foods. “This expansion will allow us to continue to grow and serve more customers throughout Louisiana. We would like to thank Louisiana Economic Development, Jefferson Parish and JEDCO for their continued efforts in making this possible.”

F. Christiana was acquired by US Foods in June 2017. Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, US Foods is one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States, serving approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators. The company has 25,000 employees and more than 60 locations.

To secure the company’s investment in the Marrero facility, the State of Louisiana offered the company a competitive incentive package that includes the services of LED FastStart, the state workforce development program. The company will receive a performance based grant of $1.5 million to offset the cost of facility improvements and construction upgrades to the site and facility.

The company will also receive a performance-based, forgivable loan of $561,000 from the state’s Economic Development Award Program for infrastructure upgrades at the site. Additionally, the company is expected to participate in Louisiana’s Enterprise Zone Program.

“Combining a strategic infrastructure with a highly skilled workforce, Louisiana is an ideal location for US Foods to continue to invest and expand,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “The competition was stiff, but US Foods’ investment in Marrero is a testament to the strength of Louisiana’s business climate and cohesive partners on the state, regional and local levels who helped secure this great project win. Our collaboration demonstrates that we are committed to ensuring that businesses like US Foods and F. Christiana can grow, thrive and create outstanding career opportunities for our people.”

“This is a major economic development win for JEDCO and Jefferson Parish,” said JEDCO President & CEO Jerry Bologna. “We are proud that this project will retain jobs in our community while also creating additional opportunities for employment, which is always a focus for our organization. Through the Jefferson EDGE 2020, the parish’s long-term economic development strategic plan, JEDCO placed an emphasis on the success and growth of the local food & beverage industry. This is the second major food-related project announced in Jefferson Parish this year, resulting in a significant investment into the West Bank of Jefferson Parish.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the expansion of US Foods in Jefferson Parish,” said Parish President Mike Yenni. “We are welcoming one of the largest food distributors in the nation into our community, adding to the list of numerous national and international brands that choose to call Jefferson Parish home. This announcement is further proof that Jefferson Parish has become a destination for business. We look forward to a long relationship with US Foods.”